About Marshall Brooks Library at Principia College

• The Marshall Brooks Library is open to the local community as an academic library and as a selective government depository. We provide access to on-site materials (including government documents) and the internet via two public kiosk computers. Open hours are posted on the library website and the main library entrances. Please see below for our policies regarding borrower types and their privileges.
   
• All library transactions require a valid Principia College ID card or valid I-Share Member Library card or Marshall Brooks Library card. (Please ask for an application if you need a community member library card.)
   
• You can check your account online and/or renew items with the barcode on your Principia College ID card or Library card.
   
• Principia College Library patrons who have fines and/or fees totaling more than $10 will have their borrowing privileges suspended until the fines and/or fees are paid.

*Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Library Director or Resource Sharing Manager.

Approved 9/2009
Updated 9/2013, 3/2021

Principia College Library patrons are responsible for:

• Payment of fines
  • $1.00 per interlibrary loan item per day overdue
  • $1.00 per reserve item per hour overdue
• Library materials overdue for more than 35 days*
  • Children’s books and all media types: $25 per item**.
  • All Other Library Materials: $50 per item*.
• Library materials returned damaged beyond normal wear and tear
  • Children’s books and all media types: $25 per item**.
  • All Other Library Materials: $50 per item**.
• Interlibrary loan materials borrowed through WorldCat overdue for more than 30 days*
  • $100 per item.
• Materials borrowed through I-Share are billed according to the policies of the lending library.

Fines and fees may be paid with cash or check at the Circulation Desk.  Alternately, fines and fees may be paid via the Principia Marketplace. 

Refunds are made when items are returned within six months of the original payment date and are in good condition.

Exceptions to this policy may be made, on rare occasions, at the discretion of the Library Director in consultation with the Public Services Manager.

*Items not returned within 35 days of their due date are automatically marked as lost by the Alma system.  At that time, the patron’s record will show the lost item charges ($50 per item). 

**This amount is reviewed periodically. The base price is determined by consulting the Bowker Annual as a guide to the average cost of an academic book in conjunction with reviewing best practices at other small college academic libraries. The service charge partially covers acquisition and processing costs.

Updated July 2023

1. Food and beverages are permitted in the library.  
2. Please dispose of food trash in the front entry or outdoor garbage cans.
3. Promptly notify library staff if any areas require special cleaning attention.
4. Please be kind to our wood furniture - Avoid placing hot or wet containers on them.

Update July 2024

The management of the library collection is governed by the Collection Management Policy.

If the campus has a delayed start, the library will open with other campus offices and services at the time determined by the administration.

When the administration closes campus due to ice/snow, the college library will open as an important service per the following schedule based on student employee availability.

Monday-Thursday – Noon to 11:00 p.m.
Friday – Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday- 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Updated June 2024